Former FBI Director Christopher Wray explained that his decision to step down was driven by President-elect Trump’s clear intention to replace him.
“In the end, deciding to retire from the FBI was one of the toughest calls I’ve ever had to make,” Wray said during a farewell interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes.” “I care deeply, deeply about the FBI, about our mission, and in particular, about our people.”
He added, “But the President-elect had made clear that he intended to make a change and the law is that that is something he’s able to do for any reason or no reason at all.”
Wray’s announcement last month came amid reports that Trump had plans to fire him. The nomination of Kash Patel, a close ally of Trump, to lead the FBI was seen as a sign that Wray’s dismissal was imminent. Patel’s appointment, however, requires Senate approval before he can officially take the helm at the agency.
Wray was originally nominated by Trump in 2017 with a term set to run until 2027. However, in Sunday’s interview, he shared his perspective on why he chose to leave.
“I came to the conclusion that the best thing for the Bureau was to manage this transition in an orderly way and avoid dragging the FBI deeper into controversy,” he explained.
Wray’s tenure had been fraught with tension, particularly after the FBI executed a search warrant at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, seeking classified documents the former president had failed to return. This move positioned Wray as a target of Trump’s criticism and public ire.
Following Wray’s resignation announcement, Trump welcomed the decision, calling it a “great day for America.”
Wray, a lifelong conservative Republican, addressed his critics, emphasizing his commitment to nonpartisan law enforcement.
“I’ve always been a ‘by the book’ law enforcement professional,” he said. “I take threats to the FBI and its agents very seriously. The people who work there tackle their responsibilities with an unparalleled level of rigor, tenacity, professionalism, and objectivity. It’s truly been the honor of a lifetime to serve alongside them.”
Democrats voiced disappointment over Wray’s departure, arguing it accelerates Trump’s ability to reshape the FBI and sidestep the optics of firing him outright.
